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| PET HEALTH
There are several signs that are key indicators of good health in your pet. Routinely look your pet over for anything abnormal at home. Start from the head, and work all the way back to the tail. Below are signs of a healthy pet, as evaluated by your veterinarian for each organ system. If abnormal signs are present, call us to book an appointment. THE EXAM | Organ | Healthy | Unhealthy | | Eyes | Clear Pupils are even | Redness Squinting Colored discharge (green,yellow) Swelling Abnormal pupil movements Blindness | | Ears | Clean | Malodorous Discharge Red, inflamed Swelling under ear on the flap Itch Persistent head shaking Excessive hair in canals (poodles) | | Nose | Clean Symmetrical nostrils | Colored discharge Bleeding Congestion Persistent sneezing | | Mouth | Pink gums White teeth | Pale gums, inflamed or infected gums Discolored teeth, fractured teeth Halitosis Swelling under tongue | | Neck | Smooth Non painful Eats normally | Large lumps under the jaw (enlarged lymph nodes) Cough, choke, gagging | | Heart | Good energy Pink gums Strong pulses | Cough Lethargy Collapse | | Lungs | Normal breathing | Cough Lethargy Wheeze Labored breathing | | GI tract | Healthy weight Good appetite | Weight loss Vomiting Diarrhea or soft stools Blood in stool (fresh red blood or tarry black stool) Straining to defecate Distended abdomen | | Skeletal | Normal gait | Limping Full non weight bearing Joint swelling (hips, knees, shoulders, wrist, toes) Back pain Neck pain Reluctant to jump Slow to rise | | Neurologic | Alert Normal pupils Good energy
Normal gait | Dull Abnormal pupil movements Limping Dragging, scuffing nails Seizures Blindness Back pain Neck pain Progressive weakness | | Skin | Shiny full coat Pink skin | Rash Dull, flaky coat Lumps or masses Cuts, lacerations, open wounds Itchy Chews feet, licking paws Hairloss Fleas and ticks |
WHAT CAN I DO AT HOME? Frequently evaluate your pet's health. If you notice any of the signs above that indicate a problem, please make an appointment to have the problem checked by our veterinarian. Other tips for routine home care include the following list: 1. DENTITION 
Brush your pet's teeth every day. Start when they are young so they can get use to the toothbrush. Never use human toothpaste! A home brushing kit for pets is available. Also remember that certain breeds are predisposed to dental disease. Most small breed dogs, pugs and boston terriers are included. If the veterinarian finds loose teeth, they will need to be extracted. Routine dentals are recommended every year after the age of 4, but caring for teeth at home can greatly reduce the level of dental disease present.
Click here for more information regarding oral hygiene and dental care. | |
| 2. SKIN Once montly, pets can be bathed (unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian). Gentle shampoos free of perfumes or chemicals are recommended. Oatmeal-based products are usually well tolerated. Be sure to dry the coat well after bathing, and look at the skin closely. If you have applied flea prevention, you may wash the topical off the coat (even if it says water-tolerant!). Bath first, dry the coat, then apply your topical flea product.
 Monthly flea prevention should be given as some pets have a "flea allergy dermatitis." Even 1 flea can cause extreme itch in the affected pet. These pets have are hypersensitive to the flea saliva, so one bite is all it takes. Lesions are usually based around the tail. Fleas on baby kittens can also create life-threatening anemia from blood loss. Routine flea prevention is easy and can be in the form of topicals or tablets. Flea collars and baths are not as effective. In California, it is not uncommon to use flea prevention all year round. This is advisable as eggs in the environment can hatch several months later after the original infestation. Backyards can also become infested and reinfect the pet.
3. EARS For the maintenance of healthy ears as seen in the picture, weekly ear cleaning is a good idea. Several products are available over-the-counter to do the job. Pour a generous amount of cleaner in both ears and massage the ears from the base. Your pet will then shake their head so stand back! Use soft cotton balls or tissue to wipe any debris that has lifted. Ear flushing should also be done after swimming or bathing.
For pets that have an infection (redness, malodorous, discharge, swelling), be sure to see the veterinarian. Ear flushing at home in these instances may not be a good idea, especially if there is concern for a ruptured ear drum. An otoscopic exam will be performed by the veterinarian and a deep flush under heavy sedation may be recommended. Most infections require medication prescriptions.
(Source: Washington State University SVM) | |
| 4. NUTRITION - With advancing research, we have access to better, complete diets for our pets. Veterinarians can recommend the best diet for your pet, based on their specific requirements (age, breed, health). Some foods are simply better than others. Often times, certain medical conditions can be greatly improved with prescription diets. Diets we recommend at Valley Center Veterinary Clinic for healthy pets include Science Diet and Royal Canin. Click below for more information.
- Dry food has fewer calories than wet/canned food and maintains teeth in a heathier state. Water can be added for increased water intake - especially in healthy cats who do not drink enough water on their own. Wet food should be reserved for very thin animals, anorexic animals, or animals with urinary or kidney disease.
  
Arthritis - j/d | Diabetes w/d or m/d | Kidney disease - k/d | Liver disease - l/d | Obesity - w/d | Food Allergy - d/d | Dental disease - t/d | Crystals in urine - depends on crystal | Heart disease - h/d | Sensitive stomach - i/d or d/d |
5. SUPPLEMENTS
SUBTLE SIGNS OF DISEASE 1. INCREASED THIRST 2. VOMITING 3. DIARRHEA The origin of diarrhea can help point to the source of the problem. Diarrhea originating from the large bowel (colon) usually presents with straining, sometimes bloody or mucoid stool, and urgency. Small bowel diarrhea is higher in the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by large liquid volumes, no mucous, can be black/tarry in color, and weight loss may occur if it persists. Your veterinarian will ask about the type of diarrhea your pet is experiencing which will help to localize the area of origin.
- In puppies and kittens, there is a high predisposition for parasites. Some of which are contagious to you and your family members. A fresh stool sample can be dropped off at the hospital and we can call you with the results the next day. Rapid diet changes can also cause loose stool.
Our older pets with diarrhea usually require a work-up by your veterinarian as there are several causes. Dietary changes, food intolerance and parasites are the most common causes of diarrhea, but others do exist. There are metabolic diseases, inflammatory diseases, systemic diseases, foreign body obstructions, masses and several other considerations for diarrhea in older pets.
4. COUGH Young pets with a new cough are most commonly infectious resulting from the contagious bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), or pneumonia. In severe cases, xrays will be taken of the chest and medication started to fight the infection. Older pets developing a new cough might point towards a primary heart condition, or lung disease. Xrays are always recommended in these situations.
5. UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT CHANGE Your pet's weight will be recorded with each visit to the hospital. Keep these for your records as sudden weight fluctuations - loss or gain - can indicate a problem. Note: It is imperative to become familiar with your all of your pet's habits. Be sure to monitor for any of the following changes: appetite, behavior, energy level, urination, defecation, weight, breathing, or body conformation. Practice examing the systems as mentioned in the above chart and call us if you have any questions pertaining to your pet's health.
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